Accessory apparatus for copying devices and a copying device therefor



, `W. LIMBERGER ACCESSORY APPARATUS FOR COPYING DEVICES Aug. 11, 1964AND A COPYING DEVICE THEREFOR 2 Sheets-sheet 1 Filed Nov. 6. v1961 KuriW. LIMBERGER ACCESSORY APPARATUS FOR COPYING DEVICES Aug. 11, 1964 AND ACOPYING DEVICE THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. e, 1961 UnitedStates Patent O 3,143,947 ACCESSORY APPARATUS FOR COPYING DEVICES AND ACOPYING DEVICE THEREFOR Walter Limberger, Hambnrg-Poppenbuttel, Germany,as-

signor to Lumoprint Zindler KG., Hamburg, Germany Filed Nov. 6, 1961,Ser. No. 150,411 Claims priority, application Germany Nov. 18, 1960 12Claims. (Cl. 95-75) This invention relates to an accessory apparatus, oran attachment unit, for copying devices processing sheet materialcomprising at least one layer carrier and one original.

Prior art copying devices for sheet material require that the originaland at least one layer carrier be introduced simultaneously. In manycases the layer carrier is light sensitive and must, prior toprocessing, be removed out of a package or container which issubstantially light proof. This layer carrier must then be introducedinto the device as quickly as possible to avoid exposure to light. Inthis procedure the simultaneous introduction of the original and thelayer carrier requires a substantial degree of skill, particularly whenthe original and the negative layer carrier must be introduced throughtwo separate slots. The diiculties increase when at the same time anadditional layer carrier, a so called positive layer carrier, must beintroduced which for example is required when copies are made by usingthe diifusion method.

In establishments where mass production of copies is not required it isoften satisfactory to introduce precut layer carriers with the original.However, in cases where a large number of copies are to be produced inswift succession it becomes desirable to provide means wherebyintroduction of the originals automatically causes the required numberand sizes of layer carriers to be introduced in proper sequence.Machines of this kind are expensive, and in establishments using a largenumber of copying machines the cost would be prohibitive in every casewhere the manual procedure is normally satisfactory and the increasedcapacity is required only occassionally. Y

It is particularly in establishments of the last mentioned type-Whichare very commonthat the advantages of the present invention become ofespecially great and pronounced importance, in that the establishmentcan be equipped with a large number of relatively simple andinexpensive4 copying machines lexcellently serving the normal needs,while a single attachment unit according to the invention can be used inorder to swiftly and conveniently convert any one of said simplemachines into an instrument for more or less pronounced mass productionof copies. Experience has shown that the savings in cost, including therationalizing through time saving, are remarkable.

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide anattachment unit of the kind set forth which eliminates theabovementioned disadvantages attendant to prior art installations forsimilar purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment unit of thekind indicated in which all operations are accomplished automatically bymerely introducing the originals therethrough.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing description of an embodiment thereof shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. l is a diagrammatic side view of the accessory apparatus accordingto the invention and a sectional View of an associated copying device,and

FIG. 2 isa diagram showing various control circuits and coupling devicesfor the accessory apparatus.

The copying device 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a "ice front wallconsisting of a horizontal table 2, an upwardly and forwardly inclinedwall section 3, and a downwardly and rearwardly inclined wall section 4.Above the table 2 slots 5 for introducing the sheets are arranged.

The copying device 1 shown in the drawing for illustrative purposes onlyis of the diffusion type but this is not to be taken as a limitationupon the utility of the inventive unit which may be used with equaladvantage in combination with copying devices operating on differentprinciples.

The accessory apparatus 6 of the illustrated advantageous embodiment isarranged in such a Way that the table Z and the projection of the deviceformed thereby extend into an aperture, or recess 7 of a housing 8 ofthe accessory apparatus 6.

This arrangement makes it easy to iind the correct relative position ofthe copying device and attachment unit and at the same time offers thepossibility of arranging suitable latching means for releasablyconnecting the housing 6 to the device 1. The projection formed by theprojecting Wall section 3 of the housing of the device 1 at the sametime screens the table 2 and associated parts and a lower guide element,preferably comprising endless belts guided over rolls 13, 14 and 15, 16,respectively.

One roll of each pair of rolls 13, 14 or 15, 16, respectively, may besupported displaceably, and may be subjected to the action of a spring.The runs of the endless belts 17, 18 which are facing each other are incontact with each other, therebyl providing for a dened guidance of theoriginal.

According to FIG. l for example, the rolls 13, 14 are journalled inbearing blocks 106, 94. In the side walls,

or intermediate walls, of the housing 8, which are not illustrated,slots 95, 96 are provided for displaceably receiving said bearingblocks. Springs 97, 98 are provided in to these slots which are actingupon the bearing blocks in such a way that the belts are tensioned, andthat the rolls 13, 14, or 15, 16 respectively, are yieldingly urgedagainst each other as Well. In order to simultaneously urge the roll 13against the roll 15 and to tension the belt 17 the guide slot 95 for thebearing block 106 is arranged in an inclined position.

In the zone of the transport path a release element is provided in formof an actuating member 19 of a micro switch which actuating member 19extends across the transport paths of the original defined by .the runsof the belts which are in contact with each other. By means of thisarrangement it is also possible to process extremely thin originalswithout risking any failure in actuating the actuating member 19.

Below the lower guide element formed by the rolls 15 and 16 and the belt18 a guide member 21 is arranged in such a way that the run of the belt18 moving towards the inlet opening 12 glides on this surface. By meansof this a transporting device for returning the original is obtained.

Above the transport path, for example, a spool box 22 is arranged in theupper part of the housing 8. Within this spool box 22 a supply spoolwith a web of negative layer moved out of the spool box through anoutlet slot. This outlet slot, for example, is provided with resilientsealing strips 25, 26, thereby sealing the spool box in a light proofmanner.,

. Y Somewhat below the` outlet slot of the-spool-box 22 a pair oftransport rollers 27, 28 are arranged, between which the layer carrierweb is guided. At least one of these rollers is driven and the directionof rotation of each roller is'shown by an arrow. f

The transport rollers 27, 28 are journalled in bearings arranged in theside walls, or intermediate walls, of the housing 8. The drive means maybe arranged in a known manner behind an intermediate wall extending in aplane parallel to the plane of the drawing,'the drive shafts ex- 'itending through the intermediate wall. The function and the assignmentof the drive means are illustrated in FIG. 2. The transport rollers 27,28 are provided with an elastic surface.

A guide member 29 is mounted adjacent to these rollers 27, 28 and isinclined downwardly towards the outlet opening 9. At the lower end ofthe guide member 29 a cutting deviceV is provided formed, for example,out of a fixed knife 39 and a movable knife 31 adapted to sever thelayer carrier web upon actuation. Below the cutting device a secondguide member 32 starts, which terminates slightly below the upper edgeof and within the outlet opening 9.

. The cutting device with the knives 30, 31 comprises a frame 99 inwhich the required, not illustrated lever members and bearing means foreffecting the cutting movement are disposed. The frame is mounted Withinthe housing 8. The arrangement ofthe knives is diagrammaticallyillustrated infFIG. 2.

i In order to screen the space portion of the housing 8, within whichthe light sensitive negative layer carrier is arranged, against lightthrough the outlet opening 9 a roller 33, driven in the directionindicated by the arrow, may be arranged above the guide member 32 and inclose proximity thereof, thereby providing a transporting action, and atthe same time screening the gap in the outlet opening 9 above the guidemember 32. In the illustrated, particularly advantageous embodiment asupply spool 34 with a web of positive layer carrier 35 wound thereon isarranged in the lower part of the housing 8. This spool 34 is rotatablyjournalled against a slight brake action caused, for example, by a brakeshoe sliding on the shaft of the spool. Between the spool 34 and theoutlet opening 9 substantially similar elements are arranged having thesame function as those arranged between the outlet opening 9 and thespool 23. These parts include a pair of transport rollers 36, 37corresponding to the pair of transport rollers27, 28, guide members 38,39, the fixed knife 40 and the movable knife 41 which are arranged inthe structure 100 and are provided with the bearing, guide and drivemeans necessary for their functioning.

VIn addition a further guide member 42 may be provided for guiding thepositive layer carrier to the lower side of the guide member 21.

All movable parts are journalled in side wall sections of the housing 8.The required drive means aremounted on these side Walls and, forexample, are arranged within a lateral chamber. Furthermore the sidewalls may be provided with openings for introducing supply spools, orthe spool box 22 may be removable as a whole.

In FIG. 2 are illustrated: The actuating member 19 of the micro switchwhich comprises, as may be seen, two switching arms 43 and 44, twocontacts 45, 46 being assigned to the switching arm 44, and only onecontact 47 being assigned to the switching arm 43; the pairs of rollers27, 28 and 36, 37 which are coupled with the drive motor 48 in aschematically illustrated manner; the iixed and the'movable knives 30,31 and 40, 41 respectively, the movable knives being pivotally connectedat 101 and 102 to the structures 99 and 100. A source of electric poweris indicated at 51 and has one pole 52 directly connected to the motor48, while the other pole 53 is conuectible to the motor via the contactarm 43 and the contact 47. The other contact arm 44 is connected withthe condenser 54 which on the other hand is connected with the negativepole 55 of a D.C. source not illustrated. Between the D.C. source andthe contact 45 the coil of a solenoid 56 is connected, the armature ofwhich is connected with a` pivotal switch lever 57. The switch lever 57,for example, is pivotally supported at 58 and made out of conductivematerial and connected with the negative terminal 55. The switch levercarries at its free end a contact plate 59 to which a counter contact 60is assigned which is engaged by the plate 59, when the switch lever 57is pivoted. Between the counter contact 68 andthe positive terminal V61of the D.C. source 103 the coil of another solenoid 62 is arranged. Thearmature 63 of this solenoid is connected with a pivotal actuating lever64, which serves-to actuate a clutch 65, 66. After the appartaus hasbeen switched on the driving part 65v of this clutch is constantlydriven'by a motor 68 which either. has a great working load, or isprovided witha flywheel 67. The driven part 66 of the clutch isconnected with a shaft 69, at the end of which a crank 70 is mounted foractuating the movable knives 31, 41 by means of the rods 49, 50. Thecrank pin ofthe crank '70, for example, is guided within a coulissehaving a transverse slot 71 corresponding to the double eccentricity ofthe crank. -Y

Advantagcously a slotted disc 72 is xedly arranged on the shaft 69 andhas a peripheral notch 73 engaged by a projectionV 74 mounted on theswitch lever 57.

A The clutch 65, 66 is designed in such a way that it is normallydisengaged. For this purpose a spring 75 is provided acting upon theactuating lever 64.

In the illustrated normal position the condenser 54 is short circuitedvia the coil 56. The motor 68 rotates in such a direction that the disc72 after the clutch has been engaged is driven in a sense illustrated bythe arrow.

It is to be understood that, when the motor 68 is started,

. the drive elements of the transport path 11 areY also ment 5.

The flipping of the switch also causes the switch arm 44 to engage thecontact 46 which communicates with the positive terminal of the notillustrated D.C. source.' Thereby the discharge circuit ofthe condenser54 is opened, so that the condenser is charged by the D.C.

source 55, 93.

When the trailing edge of the original releases the actuating member 19,the switch 20 returns to the illus-` trated initial position. Bystopping the motor the roller pairsI 27, 28, 36, 37 are stopped. Thedischarge circuit to pivot, thereby engaging the clutch 65, 66, whereby,

for the condenser 54 is closed, whereby the solenoid 56 pivots theswitch lever 57. Thereby the projection 74 is removed from the notch 73.and the solenoid 62 is energized over contacts 59, 60 causing theactuating lever 64 due to the rotation of the shaft 69 and the crank 70,the knives 31, 41 are actuated. The discharge current of the condenser54 is of very short duration, so that the projection 74 will rest Vuponthe circumference of the'disc 72, before the slot k73 returns to itsinitial position the l projection 74 engages the notch 73 again andarrests the shaft 69. Due to the earlier deenergization of the solenoid62, after the deenergization of the solenoid 56,

the clutchA 65, 66 is already released. Due to the ilywheel 67 theimpulse transmitted to the shaft is sucient,

to perform the cutting operation.

In view of the short duration of the discharge current of the disc 72prior to its start. For example, the projection 74 is displaceablyguided in parallel direction to the axis of the switch lever 57, and issubjected to the action of a spring 77 pulling the projection, after itsrelease, towards the left opposite to the rotating direction of thedisc. The same purpose may be achieved, if the disc 72 is mounted insuch a way that it may rotate a small amount in the direction of thearrow, and is subjected to a corresponding spring action, since in thiscase the release of the projection 74 will immediately cause a forwardmovement of the notch 73 out of alignment with the projection 74. Abearing provided for this purpose is shown in dashed lines at 105. Thebearing 105 consists of two parts, one being fastened to the disc 72,while the other is fastened on the shaft 69, the parts being rotatablerelative to each other a limited amount and having a spring providedbetween them to urge the parts to one end position of the limitedrelative movement path.

' The spring 77, or a corresponding spring in the bearing 105 at thesame time dampens the shock caused by the engagement of the projection74. This arrangement is characterized by safety in operation and smallexpenditure.

Now FIG. 1 is referred to again. It will be noted that the arrangementof the introduction slots 5 practically comprises four slots, namely theintroduction slot 78 for the-negative layer carrier, the introductionslot 79 for the original, the introduction slot 80 for the positivelayer carrier, and the outlet slot for the original arranged between theslots 79 and 80, said outlet slot being closed by a pivotal guide plate81 in the illustrated position. A guide element 82 is arranged betweenthe slots 78 and 79 extending into the zone of a freely movabletransport element 85 in the exposure device 83. This transport element85 comprises a rotating disc with a pivoted clamping lever 84 whichduring the exposure moves with the original and the negative layercarrier lying therebetween. A permanent magnet 87 is arranged on a guideelement 86 disposed above the guide element 82 near the clamping lever84, which is made of magnetizable material, the permanent magnet 87serving to prevent bouncing vibrations, when the freely rotatableclamping lever returns to its initial position.

Below the slot 79 and above the table 2 a downwardly curved guideelement 88 is arranged screening the outlet slot for the originaltowards the front, which outlet slot is illustrated as being closed. Theguide member 21 of the accessory apparatus extends below the guideelement 88 defining the guide paths for the positive layer carrier abovethe table 2 into the slot 80, and for the returning original between theguide element 88 and the outwardly extending end of the guide element21. The positive layer carrier enters the device 1 through the slot 80between the guide elements 81 and 89 and reaches a roll arrangement 90,91, of which the roll 91 takes over the further transport. The roll 90,for example, is formed with circumferential grooves into which comb-likeprojections of the pivotal guide elements 81 extend. When the roll 90 isdriven in a direction for advancing the positive layer carrier, thecomb-like end of the guide element 81 is lifted out of thecircumferential grooves upon passing of a positive layer carrier,whereby the upper end of the guide element 81 is lowered relative toguide element 88, thereby opening an outlet opening for the originalreturning in the direction as indicated by the arrow, after it has beenexposed. The original then moves back on the guide element 21 and belowthe belts 18 to the inlet opening 12.

. Many modifications are possible. For example, the roll 90 may bedriven by the passing positive layer carrier, and may also be providedwith a cam for pivoting the guide element 81. Instead of the motors 48,68 a single motor may be provided to selectively actuate the pairs ofrollers 27, 28 and` 36, 37 on the one hand, or to drive the shaft 69 onthe other hand by means of a double acting clutch. Furthermore it shouldbe noted that between the outlet opening 9 on the one hand, and theknives 40, 41 or 30, 31 respectively, as well as the actuating member 19on the other hand equal lengths of the paths are provided.

Although the illustrated embodiment is especially advantageous it is notintended to limit the invention thereto. The range of the invention isdetermined by the claims, within the scope of which changes andmodifications, familiar to those skilled in the art, may be made Withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

VWhat is claimed is:

l. A removable attachment unit for feeding copying sheet material into acopying machine having an inlet aperture for said material, saidattachment unit comprising a housing, a pair of oppositely disposedWalls in said housing with a feed opening for an original in one of saidwalls and an outlet opening in the other wallon a level with and facingsaid inlet aperture of the copying machine, means in said housing forconveying the original from said feed opening to said outlet opening forintroduction into said copying machine through said inlet aperturethereof, drive means for said conveying means, means in said housingrotatably supporting at least one roll of layer carrier web, means insaid housing for unwinding said web from said roll, guide means in saidhousing for guiding the unwound web portion to said outlet opening forintroduction into the copying machine through said inlet aperturethereof, cutting means in the path of said web from said unwinding meansto said'outlet opening for severing a length of said web, drive meansfor said unwinding means and cutting means, and actuator means in thepath of said original through the housing for controlling the startingand stopping of said last mentioned drive means, the arrangement beingsuch as to cause the leading edge of said original and the leading edgeof said severed length of web to enter the copying machine substantiallysimultaneously.

v2. The attachment unit as set forth in claim 1, in which said conveyingmeans is adapted to receive said original upon return thereof throughsaid inlet aperture of the copying machine and to return it to said feedopening of the housing for discharge therethrough.

3. The attachment unit as set forth in claim l, in which said guidemeans extends to said outlet opening and therecoupling said transportroller with said drive means for the conveying means, whereby saidtransport roller cooperates with said guide means to move said webthrough said outlet opening of the housing.

4. An accessory apparatus for copying devices for processing sheetmaterial including an original and at least one layer carrier,comprising a housing arranged in front of inlet means of a copyingdevice, storage means within said housing for said layer carrier,pull-olf means for said layer carrier associated with said storagemeans, cutting means within said housing associated with said pull-olfmeans, a channel extending through said housing, guide and transportmeans in said housing for transporting said original through saidchannel, irst drive means for said guide and transport means, seconddrive means for said pull-olf means and cutting means, release meansextending into the path defined by said guide and transport means forthe original so as to cause said release means to be actuated by apassing original, and coupling means between said release means and saidsecond drive means for releasing said pull-off means and cutting meansin dependence upon the position of said original in said channel, saidchannel extending transversely through said housing and having firstopening means for introducing said original and second opening meansfacingv said inlet said second opening means being of equal length,whereing means.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which said guide andtransport means comprises an upper guide and transport element, a lowerguide andtransport element, means movably supporting said upper andlower guide and transport lelements in said housingin `contact with eachother for transporting said original between them past said releasemeans, Vand a guide member disposed below said lower guide and transportVelement for rcoaction With said lower guide` and transport element inreturning said original through said channel. g t V A6.7The apparatus asset forth inpclaim 4, in which said guide and transportmeans comprisesan upper endless belt, a lower endless belt, two rollers rotatablymounted in said housing supporting each of said upper and lower endlessbelts with one bight of said upper endlessbelt in engagement withonebight of said lower endless belt, means drivingly connecting atleast oneof said rollers with said vfirst drive means, means for tensioning saidupper and lower endless belts, and means connected with the rollerssupporting one of said endless belts for yieldingly urging saidlastmentioned rollers against the rollers supporting the other endless belt.g

7. "The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which a guide memberextends through said housing Vwithin said channel and in such closeproximity to the lower bight of said lower endlessrbelt as to'cooperatewith said lower bight in returning said original through said channel,said guide member being provided with an extension which projectsthrough said second opening means to the outside Aofnsaid housing. i t

8. A11 `accessory apparatus for copying devices for processing sheetmaterial including an original and at least none layer carrier,,comprising` a housing arranged in front of inlety means of a copyingdevice, storage means withinsaid housing for said layer carrier,pull-off meansfor said layer carrier associated, with said storagemeans, cutting means within said housing associated with said pull-offmeans, a channel extending through said housing, guide andtransportmeans in said housing for transporting said original through saidchannel, first drive means for said guide and transport means, seconddrive means for said pull-off means and cutting means, releasemeansextending into thepath Vdefined by said guide and transport meansfor the original so as to cause said release means to be actuated byrapassing original, coupling means between saidrelease means and saidsecond drive meanslfor releasing said pull-olf means and cutting meansin dependence upon the positionof said original in said channel, saidchannel ,extending transversely through said housing and having firstopening means for introducing said original and second opening meansfacing said inlet means of the copying device forV discharge of saidoriginal and a severed length of said layer carrier ,into said inletrmeans of the copying device, the paths Vfor said original from said`release means to saidV second opening means and for said layerV carrierfrom saidcutting means to Vsaid second opening means being Vof equallength, whereby said. severed length of layer carrier and said original.will leavesaidlhousing togetherrthrough said. second opening means,said secnddrive means comprising an electric motor, first conduit`meansdeiining afirstcontrol circuit for said electric motor, secondconduit means defining a second control circuit for actuation of saidcutting means, a microswitch, actuating means for saidl microswitchy,connected with said release means, a first Yswitch arm in said micro-8 Y l l 'switch for control of said first controlcircuit, a secondVswitch arm connected with said first switch arm to move therewith i-forcontrol of said second control circuit, vmeans defining'a normally openclutch between said cut- 'ting rneans and said first drivemeans,actuating means fof engaging'said clutch for the duration of onecomplete revolution thereof, a switch lever for energizing saidactuating means, anda solenoid in said second control circuitforactuation of an armature connected with Ysaid switch lever, wherebyclosing of said first and second control circuits by said microswitchcauses operation of said pull-off means and release of said clutch.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claimn8, including a 'condenserconnected in parallel with said solenoid in said second control circuitand normally short-circuited by said second switch armand a sourceofelectric energy in said second control circuit, said second switch armbeing switched by the engagement Vof the leading edge of a movingoriginal with said release means into a position closing said secondcontrol circuit and breaking said short-circuit thereby causing saidcondenser to be charged by said source of electric energy, disengagementof the trailing edge of said original from said release means causingreturn of said second Vswitch arm to its normal position and therebyre-establishment of said short-circuit for discharge of the condenserthrough said solenoid.

' 10. The accessory apparatus for copying devices for processing sheetmaterial including an original and at least one layer carrier,comprising a housing arranged in front of inlet means of acopyingdevice, storage Vmeans within said housing for said layer carrier,pull-off means forrsaid layer carrier associated with said storagemeans, cutting means within said housing associated with said pull-olfmeans, a channel extending through said housing, guide and transportmeans in said housing for transporting said original through saidchannel, first drive means for said guide and transport means, seconddrive means for said pull-off means and cutting means, release meansextending into the path defined by said guide and transport means forthe original so as to cause said release means to be actuated by apassing original, coupling means between said release means and saidsecondV drive means for releasing said pull-off means and cutting meansin dependence upon the position of said originalin said channel, saidchannel extending transversely through said housing and having firstopening means yfor introducing said original and second opening meansfacing said inlet means of the copying device for discharge of saidoriginal and a severed length of said layer carrier into said inletmeans of the copying device, the paths for said original from saidrelease means to said second opening means and for said layer carrierVswitch for control of said first control circuit, a second` switch armconnected with said first switch arm to move therewith for control ofsaid secondy control circuit, means defining a normally open clutchbetween said cutting means and said first drive means, actuating meansfor engaging said clutch for the duration of one complete revolutionthereof, a switch lever for energizing said actuating means, and asolenoid in said second control circuit for actuation of an armatureconnected with said switch lever, whereby closing of said first andsecond control circuits by said microswitch causes operation ofv saidpull-oft means and release of said clutch, said clutch comprising twonormally disengaged clutch members,

means connecting one of said clutch members with said iirst drive means,a rotatably mounted shaft connected with the other clutch member, a disccarried by said shaft and being provided with a notch in its periphery,a projection on said switch lever -for engagement in said notch toprevent rotation of said disc, an actuating member engaging said otherclutch member, means in said second control circuit for moving saidactuating member to clutch engaging position upon actuation of saidswitch lever to withdraw said projection from said notch, and meansoperatively connecting said shaft with said cutting means, wherebywithdrawal of said projection from said notch and engagement of saidclutch causes operation of said cutting means.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, including means connectingsaid projection with said switch lever for limited movability of saidprojection lengthwise of said switch lever, and spring means connectedwith said projection and said switch lever biasing said projection inthe direction opposite to the direction of movement of the adjacentperipheral portion of said disc, whereby said biasing means serves as abrake upon said disc for a limited end portion of the rotation thereof.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, including a bearing membersecured to said shaft, another bearing member secured to said disc andcooperating with sai-d irst mentioned bearing member to permit limitedrotation of said disc on said shaft, and spring means secured to` saidtwo bearing members and biasing said disc in the rotary direction ofsaid shaft, whereby said spring means serves as a brake on said discduring a limited end portion of the rotation thereof.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,762,176 Knapp et al. Sept. 11, 1956 2,793,574 Unterberger May 28, 19572,883,929 Eichenbaum et al Apr. 29, 1959 2,999,342 Keely et al. Sept.12, 1961 3,033,095 Limberger May 8, 1962

1. A REMOVABLE ATTACHMENT UNIT FOR FEEDING COPYING SHEET MATERIAL INTO ACOPYING MACHINE HAVING AN INLET APERTURE FOR SAID MATERIAL, SAIDATTACHMENT UNIT COMPRISING A HOUSING, A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSEDWALLS IN SAID HOUSING WITH A FEED OPENING FOR AN ORIGINAL IN ONE OF SAIDWALLS AND AN OUTLET OPENING IN THE OTHER WALL ON A LEVEL WITH AND FACINGSAID INLET APERTURE OF THE COPYING MACHINE, MEANS IN SAID HOUSING FORCONVEYING THE ORIGINAL FROM SAID FEED OPENING TO SAID OUTLET OPENING FORINTRODUCTION INTO SAID COPYING MACHINE THROUGH SAID INLET APERTURETHEREOF, DRIVE MEANS FOR SAID CONVEYING MEANS, MEANS IN SAID HOUSINGROTATABLY SUPPORTING AT LEAST ONE ROLL OF LAYER CARRIER WEB, MEANS INSAID HOUSING FOR UNWINDING SAID WEB FROM SAID ROLL, GUIDE MEANS IN SAIDHOUSING FOR GUIDING THE UNWOUND WEB PORTION TO SAID OUTLET OPENING FORINTRODUCTION INTO THE COPYING MACHINE THROUGH SAID INLET APERTURETHEREOF, CUTTING MEANS IN THE PATH OF SAID WEB FROM SAID UNWINDING MEANSTO SAID OUTLET OPENING FOR SEVERING A LENGTH OF SAID WEB, DRIVE MEANSFOR SAID UNWINDING MEANS AND CUTTING MEANS, AND ACTUATOR MEANS IN THEPATH OF SAID ORIGINAL THROUGH THE HOUSING FOR CONTROLLING THE STARTINGAND STOPPING OF SAID LAST MENTIONED DRIVE MEANS, THE ARRANGEMENT BEINGSUCH AS TO CAUSE THE LEADING EDGE OF SAID ORIGINAL AND THE LEADING EDGEOF SAID SEVERED LENGTH OF WEB TO ENTER THE COPYING MACHINE SUBSTANTIALLYSIMULTANEOUSLY.